Failure is defined as a lack of success, feeling defeated or a state or condition of not meeting a desirable or intended objective. That definition is frightening to most of us, at least to me it is. It’s scary to fail. I’m afraid of it and most of us are. In the words of best-selling author Jon Gordon, “Failure is not meant to be final and fatal. It is not meant to define you. It is meant to refine you to be all that you are and meant to be.”
We are scared of failure because we are striving to be perfect. We are striving to be free or as free as possible from all flaws. We want to be perfect at the things we are passionate about. Whether its our career, our marriage, our school work or a sport that we love. No one wants to strive to be average, we want perfection. But aiming for perfection will only lead to disappointment. Because we are going to make mistakes. The most highly successful people commit mistakes. There is no point in fearing it because they are essential to your growth as an individual. Flaws and mistakes do not define you. It is how you learn from it that will determine the level of success that you could attain.
In an interview back in 2013 with LeBron James he give his thoughts on what made Michael Jordan so successful. He goes on to say “MJ wasn’t perfect. He had bad games. He committed turnovers. He had games where he felt like he should’ve done better. But I think the greatest thing about MJ was that he wasn’t afraid to fail. And I think that’s why he succeeded so much. He was never afraid of what anybody ever said about him. Never afraid to miss the game winning shot. Never afraid to turn the ball over. Never Afraid!”
When you are afraid you hesitate. You adjust the natural flow of things. You second guess yourself, your strength, your knowledge and your hardworking. Everything becomes in question when you are afraid. Knowing that failure is ok allows the fear to fade away. It allows you to make mistakes and be okay with it. It allows you to make mistakes and keep your head held high knowing that it is part of being successful. Failure and mistakes are ok! So, go out there and fail. Go out there and make mistakes. Go out there and let the fear go. Strive to be successful not for perfection. Fail but don’t be afraid. Make mistakes. And know that you are building a successful individual along the way.
Stay positive my friends!
-Chris North
The Positive Approach 